Wow! I can’t believe it’s Sunday already and time for a new roundup of great fitness reads. Note that I’ll be away next week in California so unable to give you the week’s review. So I’ll be back the following Sunday with 2 weeks worth!

This one is for my fitnesspro pals out there and for anyone who was possibly put off by one who promoted what seemed to be an impossibly difficult journey to their “happy island.” Perspective folks. Lets never lose sight of why we became fit pros in the first place, to help people – where ever they are today.

Sheesh, you might think I have a huge crush on Dean for showcasing another of his articles in my top contenders. Maybe it’s because he’s a fellow Canadian. More likely because he’s a super smart guy and I – and about 50% of the entire adult population – has a history of shoulder issues. Admittedly I love anyone who uses a Turkish Get Up for shoulder health! Great read for anyone with shoulder issues, thinks they have issues, want to avoid issues…everyone.

So to fill my boots when I’m not training, I’m usually at my computer reading. As an aside, I splurged on a perching seat (go ahead, ask me for details on the Focal Standing Seat). Wouldn’t have much credibility asking my clients to sit less from a regular chair now would I?

But I digress. Anyone in the fitness industry with even a mild case of curiosity and desire to hone our knowledge (shame on those who don’t) has no trouble finding innumerable articles, blog posts, newsletters, research reports, emails, videos, etc. that feed our soul. The sheer volume of emails can choke any inbox. And then comes the decision of what to read? There just ins’t time enough in the week to indulge them all. So I usually prioritize based on author credibility – I’ll read from smart people that I respect first. Next is whether what they have is relevant to my students now or does it expand my knowledge so I can do a better job later (filling my knowledge gaps). Finally, is it well written and laid out? Some really smart folks make dumb mistakes in neglecting the impact that design and editing has on making their ‘product’ consumable. Content is king but crap layout may lead to an empty kingdom.

So each week, I’ll be highlighting 3 to 5 of the best fitness articles I have read. Today is installment #1.

Let me know of any particular interests you’d like me to keep an eye out for. I’d love to know what you care about.

I’ll probably get some push back for this one, but Bret has a great way of presenting facts that dispel popular marketing BS.

If Yoga and Pilates practitioners believe that exercise should be based on creating long, lean muscles, then they should be promoting resistance training with free weights since it is better suited for actually lengthening muscles and improving leanness.

* Editor: While I fixed the link to the post, I read the new comments that came in. Lots of good points. Bret reaffirms that yoga complements resistance training (and I’d add vice versa – a Turkish Get Up and elevated Plank Rows are Yoga on Steroids), that the two should not be pitted against each other. I’ll agree with his point however that “most women don’t get a rockin’ booty from yoga.” And well functioning and developed glutes are key to low back health.

Since I poked a little fun – and hopefully instigated some curiosity and debate – with the last read, I’m sending my own folks under the bus with the next one. Internationally recognized trainer to trainers Nick Tumminello discusses his issue with over enthusiastic kettlebell fit pros that seem to take themselves and the tool far too seriously.

In our defense what Nick misses is that in our particular school of strength (not that he named us or anyone else), it’s not about the kettlebell but the principles of good technique. We would apply the same principle to different tools since we know it’s how we get the best result. You’d never catch an SFG doing a sloppy dumbbell press.

Now as you can imagine, it’s pretty hard to narrow the field down to “best” articles since everyone’s best is different.

But I hope you’ve found some value in these three as I mentioned above.